Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells' population expanded between the last two censuses. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure.

The population reached nearly 120,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Tunbridge Wells increased by 11%, from about 104,000 to 115,000.

The addition of just over 11,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Tunbridge Wells was home to, on average, 2.5 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was similar to the average across the South East

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the South East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Rise in private renting

Census 2011 data also show a housing tenure change in Tunbridge Wells.

The percentage of households in Tunbridge Wells that rented privately increased from 11% in 2001 to 17% in 2011.

In 2011, just over one in seven (15%) households lived in social housing, compared with 16% in 2001. The percentage of Tunbridge Wells households that owner their home decreased from 71% to 66%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 10% in 2001 to 16% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Tunbridge Wells increased by 6.4 percentage points

Percentage of households in Tunbridge Wells, the South East and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Tunbridge Wells residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 6.6% to 3.9% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just under 9 in 10 (85%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 73% in 2001. The percentage of Tunbridge Wells residents that described their health as fair decreased from 20% to 11%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 7.2% in 2001 to 4.4% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Tunbridge Wells decreased by 2.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Tunbridge Wells, the South East and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in rate of unemployment

The percentage of Tunbridge Wells residents that were unemployed increased from 1.9% to 3.0% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just over one in two (54%) people aged 16 to 74 said they were employed, compared with 55% in 2001. The percentage of Tunbridge Wells residents that were self-employed increased from 12% to 14%.

The proportion of unemployed people increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 2.3% in 2001 to 3.5% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 3.4% to 4.4%.

The rate of unemployment in Tunbridge Wells increased by 1.1 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 in Tunbridge Wells, the South East and England that said they were unemployed, March 2001 and March 2011

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